I cannot name a specific camera, but wanted to share a possible purchase location. I am addicted to Nikon and always purchased my new digital from our local Nikon shop. Now that the shop has closed and no authorized Nikon dealer is around, I have turned to B&H Photo on the internet. They give you the ability to filter by most any requirement including cost and need. If you search B&H Photo you can get their web addy. With that said, I still advocate buying local as long as a reasonable and reliable authorized dealer is available. Good luck in your search.

You can spend $300, but I suggest you just spend less than 20% of that

I have had good luck buying used off ebay. The Pentax W10, W20, and W30's can be had at really good prices. If you are worried about getting a bad one you can buy a 2 year warranty for $15 or so. The only difference I see is whether you have a 7MB or 12 MB image. Since 7MB images have enough resolution to blow up to huge prints, I have no idea other than selling hard drives why you would want a 12MB camera unless is was a full DSLR. I have extra batteries and chargers for W10's and W20's if an auction is missing these.

I heard about it on a Orvis Fly Fishing Podcast. A pro photographer had one that was a guest on the podcast. Had lost it in the woods one day hunting, got home found that he lost his camera. Couldn't go back that night, went back a week later to where he thought he lost it. There it was in a puddle under a inch or so of ice. Broke the ice out, grabbed his camera and turned it on. Went bling as it turned on and it has been fine ever since.

I dont think they sell it any more but its a very nice camera. Panasonic make a cool waterproof/shockproof/freezeproof camera too. It had wi-fi so you can share pictures from the camera as well as gps on the pictures to tell where they were taken.

I have the Pentax Optio WG-II after good luck with an earlier model Optio. This one with the stylized exterior is more grippy, works well. When I have issues getting the shot, it's usually 'cause the fish escaped the net or some such. The camera itself has all the usual functions, more than I know how to use really. Pretty well recommend it.

steve

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The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation, unless they fly fish... with apologies to Thoreau

The Olympus TG-3 is by far the best camera for close up fishing shots. Naturally being a compact point and shoot the drawback is limited long distance photos. The macro however is the best in class as of the date of this post. Fast AF too.